Following a news report confirming that an application for approval for commercialization of GM mustard has been moved with the apex regulatory body GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change), the Coalition for a GM Free India reminded the government about the serious consequences of this GMO’s release, […]
Sarson Satyagraha against GM mustard launched from Rajghat with a prayer meeting
In a prayer meeting followed by pledge-taking at Rajghat, many organisations and individuals joined hands to launch Sarson Satyagraha against the entry of GM mustard in India, on July 31st 2015. The following is their letter to Prakash Javadekar, MoEFCC. July 31, 2015 To: Mr. Prakash Javadekar Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government […]
Delhi University’s GM Mustard: Learn More Here
BRIEFING PAPERS The Coalition for a GM-Free India, after putting out a Briefing Paper on Delhi University’s GM Mustard in June 2015 has now revised it based on RTI information received. You can download a Revised Briefing Paper (July 2015) in english here. A hindi version of the briefing paper is available here: दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय का जीन […]
GM Free Coalition warns the GEAC against Genetically Modified (GM) MUSTARD commercialization
New Delhi, June 17, 2015: “Bt Brinjal then, GM Mustard now – will GEAC repeat the mistake of thrusting Genetically Modified food onto our plates? We will strongly oppose any attempt to approve commercialization of GM mustard,” warned the Coalition for GM Free India. The Coalition while releasing a Briefing Paper on Delhi University’s GM […]
Coalition letter urging GEAC to take action on serious biosafety violations
To Shri Hem Pande, Chairperson, GEAC. Dear Shri Hem Pande, Sub: Biosafety violations which require immediate action for fixing liability, by GEAC – Reg. Greetings! This is to bring to your notice two apparent violations of biosafety norms, guidelines and EPA Rules and demand that you take immediate action to investigate and fix liability for […]
Maharashtra suspends GM crop field trials
We understand from media reports today that the Chief Minister of Maharashtra has forwarded citizens’ concerns and objections to the State Level Committee looking into the matter of NOCs for GM (Genetically Modified) crop field trials, and had ordered for suspension of trials till the objections are addressed. As signatories, along with a cross section […]
Union Minister Maneka Gandhi slams Bt cotton and pesticides at the Chandigarh Organic Convention
Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare Smt Maneka Gandhi addressed the gathering at the 5th National organic farming Convention being held in Chandigarh, the common capital city of Punjab & Haryana. She pointed to the increased use of systemic pesticides because of Bt cotton, the only GM crop commercially cultivated in India and the […]
Coalition for GM Free India Urges the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to halt the permissions for open field trials of GM crops in the state
In the wake of media reports about the Maharashtra Govt granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the open air field trials of GM crops in the state, the Coalition for a GM Free India along with the Coalition for a GM Free Maharashtra has sent a letter ( Fwded below) to the Chief Minister of […]
GENETICALLY MODIFIED RAPESEED OR CANOLA OIL HEALTH BENEFITS UNSUBSTANTIATED AND SCIENTIFICALLY NOT PROVEN” SAYS THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS COUNCIL OF INDIA, ASKS ADVERTISER TO WITHDRAW OR MODIFY THE ADS BEFORE 15 DEC, 2014
New Delhi, Decembery 5th 2014: Jivo Canola oil, the largest importer of Canadian Rapeseed or Canola Oil in India, has been asked to withdraw or modify its advertisements latest by the 15th of December, by the Advertising Standards Councils of India. ASCI has concluded that the claims that genetically engineered Canola oil consumption is the […]
Urgent MoEFCC intervention demanded to stop illegal entry of Bt brinjal from Bangladesh
To: December 2nd 2014 Shri Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India. Dear Sir, Sub: Immediate intervention sought from your Ministry on illegal transboundary entry of Bt brinjal into India from Bangladesh – reg. Namaste! This is to bring to your kind attention fresh concerns with GMOs and threat […]
Citizens’ groups force authorities to initiate a dialogue on GM field trials – People’s Movements in Maharashtra declare a Jan Andolan against GM field trials; Demand that the trials be halted immediately
October 29, 2014, Rahuri/Ahmednagar/New Delhi: The opposition to open air field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in Maharashtra, the only state in the country where such controversial experiments are being undertaken, reached a new height with representatives of numerous people’s movements from across Maharashtra assembling at the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri, demanding […]
Maharashtra jeopardises India’s biodiversity & food sovereignty: Only state to permit GM Field trials in the country
Farmers, Scientists, Activists demand an immediate halt of open GM trials that pose a threat to food safety and environment of the entire nation Pune,16th October, 2014: On World Food Day today, farmers, scientists, consumer activists, environmentalists, celebrities and citizens from all walks of life joined hands to demand that open trials of controversial Genetically […]
GM Field trials in Maharashtra need to be stopped immediately: Open Statement
GM crops are one of the most controversial technologies in agriculture – there is growing scientific evidence on its adverse impacts on health, biodiversity, farm livelihoods etc. A glimpse of the early warnings from scientific studies related to adverse impacts of GMOs which require a precautionary principle to be adopted with this technology is available […]
Letter to the District Collector, Ahmednagar demanding stopping of the GM Maize field trials in the district
Ahmednagar, 10/10/2014. To The District Magistrate, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra. Dear Sir, Sub: Seeking your urgent action to stop the open air field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in Rahuri Namaste! This is to seek you attention and urgent action on open field trial of Genetically Modified (GM) crops, in particular, the GM maize of […]
Gujarat Govt joins other states, says will not permit Field trials of GM food crops in the state.
Coalition for a GM Free India urges Mr. Prakash Javadekar, the Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change to stop open air GM trials in the country. New Delhi: October 9, 2014: In the latest development on the raging debate around open trials of the controversial Genetically Modified (GM) crops in India, the Gujarat state […]